"Short Terms 12": a film festival hit

“Short Term 12” is the story of Grace, a young supervisor who works at a facility for teenagers who have suffered abuse.

The indie-drama is directed by young US filmmaker Destin Cretton, who says he drew inspiration from his own life:

“Initially it was based on my own experiences working at a place really similar to the place that’s portrayed in the movie. It was my first job out of college and I worked there for about two years before going to film school. And I did a short film based on my experiences there, which premiered at Sundance in 2009. And the response to that short kind of inspired me to turn it into a feature,” said the director.

Along with the help of her boyfriend and co-worker, Mason, played by John Gallagher Jr, Grace is passionately committed to giving support to the kids in her care. Brie Larson who plays Grace, has won international acclaim for her role in the movie:

“What I love about this script and how the movie turned out is you don’t realize what’s happening, until it happens. You just let yourself go on this journey with them,” said the actress.

The film has won mostly positive reviews, with critics describing it as sincere and tender, though some deplore its ‘too-cute-to-be-true’ ending. “Short Term 12” is on release in the US and the UK and is being screened at various film festivals across Europe.